Barrett announced Tuesday that after considering joining the crowded Democratic field, he decided against a fourth run. He ran and lost in the 2002 Democratic primary and was defeated by Republican Scott Walker in 2010 and in the 2012 recall.

Barrett says in a Facebook post that while he believes a new governor is needed, "I love my job as mayor and that's where my heart is." The 64-year-old Barrett says he hopes to continue serving as mayor "for many years to come." He says, "I've still got the fire in the belly."